Rail-joint.



W. P. THOMSON.

, RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION man JUNE 20,1911. 1 1,299,634, Patented Apr. 8, 1919. 2 suznshsnur I.

Patented 8, 1919.

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meme/1 WILLIAM I. THoMsoN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

, ASSIGNOR TO THE RAIL JOINT COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Iletters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed June 20, 1917. Serial No. 175,876.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. THOMSON, acitizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the countyof New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Rail- Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in rail joints having for itsprimary object a construction especially designed to stabilize joints ofthe type having metal shoe angles and wooden fillers.

' Rail joints of the type embodying wooden fillers and steel shoe angleshave been found efiective and reliable in service under ordinaryconditions. In order to adapt joints of this character to successfullymeet the demands and requirements of modern traific conditions it isproposed by the present invention to provide certain'novel and practicalimprovements which contribute materially to the serviceability of thewooden filler block, especially in forms of construction where thisblock occupies the fishing space of the rail, and underlies the head ofthe rail. To that end, the invention provides means whereby passingloads are met with adequate resistance by the filler block at the properpoints, and also provision is made for producing and maintaining aproperly directed clamping efieet for the shoe angle. Furthermore, meansare provided whereby the angle is utilized not only to produce in thefiller block that condition whereby it may be better able to withstandthe wheel loads, but also to correct any tendency of the shoe angle,under load conditions, to kick-out from the bottom of the rail.

A further object of the invention is to preferably associate theimprovements with a rail joint construction wherein a downward andinward thrust from the filler block onto the top face of thebase flangeof the rail may be magnified to a considerable degree so that the uppervpart of the wooden filler block beneath the rail head may be sub--stantially, if not quite, relieved from the necessity of sustaining theupward thrust. At the same time it is proposed to concentrate a maximumdensity or compression in said upper part of the filler in order toprovide and maintain the desirable functions of the invention.

Accordingly, a distinctive and important feature of the invention is theprovision of means whereby the upper part of the wooden filler block,adjacent to the top of the bolts, may be so augmented or amplified indensity as to focus in this region a materially increased resistance toload thrusts.

Also, to so combine the steel shoe with thefiller block that thetightening of the bolts will not only produce but maintain thepreponderant density in'the upper part of the wooden filler, and willcause the base member of the shoe to react upwardly into firm clainpingengagement with the bottom of the m1 A further general object of theinvention is to provide a construction, characterized by the twoprincipal improvements above referred to, which compels and insures aproper fitting of the joint parts when the bolts are tightened, thusobviating the improper fit some times found in joints of this generaltype due to improper application by careless workmen.

With these and other objects in viewwhich will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated and claimed.

The fundamental features of the invention, as above indicated, arenecessarily susceptible of embodiment in a variety of structures withoutdeparting from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantagesthereof, but for the purpose of illustration a few preferred andpractical embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a rail joint illustrating one form ofthe invention wherein the wooden filler block is specially shaped tosecure the desired results.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same joint structure in Fig. 1 after thebolts have been tightened, illustrating the substantial obliteration ofthe sweelled formation of the wooden filler block when the joint isfully tightened.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the use of an additionalfeature supplementing the resistance of the upper medial portion of thewooden filler block.

Figs. 4 and 5 are similar sectional views upper medial portion of thewooden filler block.

.Fig. 6 is .a sectional view illustrating another modification whereinresistance amplifiers may be combined with the upper medial portion ofthe wooden filler block to effect the-desired result.

Fig. 7 is'a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating anauxiliary thrust orwear'element combihed with the structure to still further increase oramplify, in the desired manner, the resistance offered to the wheelloads.

Like references designate corresponding parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings.

The invention in its preferable application possesses special utilitywhen associated with a rail joint structure including a wooden fillerblock fitting the fishing space of the rail, and a steelshoe anglehaving a direct clamping engagement with the outer side of the fillerblock, but is not necessarily limited thereto. However, in order thatthe essential and distinctive features of the invention may bestbeunderstood the several suggested embodiments thereof shown in thedrawings are illustrated in connection with 1 a rail joint structureincluding in combination with the rail R and the usual joint bolts, awooden filler block 1, and a steel shoe angle 2. These principalelements are necessarily included in all forms of the invention, and itwill be observed that the shoe angle comprises the upright boltingmember 3 and the horizontal inwardly extending base member 4:, the saidshoe angle being designed to? clampingly engage the outer side of thefiller block so that it will firmly grip the web and top of the baseflange of the rail, when the bolts are tight. 7

As above pointed out, one particular fea ture of improvement is theconcentration in the upper medial portion of the filler block,

above thecenter line of the bolts, of a pre ponderant densityof'compression, so that thispart of the block may afi'ord the maximum ofits reslstance to crush under load conditions. The preferable focusingof resistance, to crushing load thrusts, to the upper medial portion ofthe filler block, as

above mentioned, is based upon observation of a substantial disadvantageof squeezing a filler block too .close to its top, where there is afreely exposed gap between the lower. outer corner of the rail head andthe upper of maximum density in the block must be kept low enough toprevent the flow of the top of the block into the open gap, and at thesame time it must be kept high enough to focus the effective resistanceof the block the embodiment suggested in Fig. 1, it will be seen thatthis construction involves the feature of forming the filler block witha lateral or horizontally swelledupper part 5 which ineffect produces alateral enlarge ment of this part of the filler block. In the form shownthis lateral enlargement manifests itself in an inner bulge orprotuberance 6, adapted to bear against the rail web, and

an outer bulge or protuberance 7 adapted tobe engaged by the inner upperportion of the bolting member 3 above the center line of the bolts. Inthe initial application of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the filler blockpreferably fits comparatively loosely in the fishing space so that thebulges or protuberances 6 and 7 are respectively in contact with therail web and with the shoe angle upright, before the bolts aretightened.

Then, upon the tightening of the bolts.

the initial pressure is necessarily imposed.

through the laterally enlarged or swelled upper part of the fillerblock. This results in producing a major compression in that zone of theblock, whereby a preponderant density is created therein which will moreadequately resist the load thrusts than otherwise.

construction shown in Fig. 1, the superf.ullness or swelled effect ofthe filler block practically disappears and the inner clamping face ofthe upright bolting member becomes substantially parallel with theopposing -11!) During this drawing-in process, with the outersurface ofthe filler block, thus obtaining supportforthe outer face of the blockthroughout. At the same time an upward and inward rocklng movement isimparted ber thereof to exert an upward clamping effect. beneath therail base. This ultimate '1 2 0 to the shoe angle which causesthe basemem-,

relation of the parts is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and ismaintained by .the tightening of the bolts. Also in connection with theconstruction of Fig. 1 the preferable feature is illustrated as havingthe opposing contacting faces of the filler block and of the uprightbolting member inclined such part free to subserve the'function aboveascribed thereto.

Should it be required to distribute the abrasive load impacts on top ofthe filler, a metal thrust or wear plate 8 may be interposed between theunder side of the rail head and the filler block. This is shown in Fig.3 of the drawings.

By way of illustrating. another modification that may be resorted to incarrying forward the invention, there is suggested in Fig. 4 of thedrawings, the expedient of forming in the lower part of the woodenfiller block, below the bolt holes, one or more saw kerfs 10 extendinglongitudinally thereof, and serving to increase the yieldability of thispart of the block, at the same time preventing the formation of afulcrum for the shoe angle below the bolt holes. Accordingly, with sucha construction, the tightening of the bolts operates to contract orcompress the kerfed lower part of the filler block without increasingthe density thereof, thus maintaining the preponderant density in thatpart of the block above the center line of the bolts, as contemplated bythe present invention. Also the effect of this construction is to causethe shoe angle to pull-in, or react in an inward and upward direction atthe base. With this construction there may be or may not be em-' ployedthe supplemental wear or thrust plate 8 above referred to. Also itshould be noted that the saw kerfs 10 may be employed with or withoutthe feature of the lateral enlargement of the upper part of the fillerblock, though the combination of these features as suggested in Fig. 4quite effectually assures the functioning of the parts contemplated bythe present invention.

A variation of the construction shown in Fig. 4, is suggested in Fig. 5wherein the same kerfed formation is provided for the wooden fillerblock, but the upright bolting member of the shoe angle is formed withan inwardly extending head member 11 which is arranged to engage beneaththe under side of the rail head and to overlie the top part of thefiller block.

Another example of the range of modification that may be employed incarrying forward this invention is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawingswherein the upper part of the wooden filler block is shown provided withone or more saw kerfs 12 designed to provide recesses or sockets toaccommodate metal strips or plates 18 which act as resistanceamplifiers, and necessarily serve to increase the density of the uppermedial portion of the filler block as compared with the more yieldablelower part of the block. This embodiment materially augments theresistance in the upper part of the filler to provide an excess ofresistance at such part to prevent crushing down of the filler underexcessive load. With the resistance amplifiers there may also beemployed a supplemental Wear or thrust plate 8 as shown in Fig. 7.

The improved. rail joint construction described herein includes adesirable feature of practical importance. This feature provides foradequate drainage of the joint at the bottom beneath the center of therail, allowing the water to freely drain from the bottom fiber piecesthus protecting the same against deterioration. This is effected byreason of the base members 4: of the shoes having their inner edgesterminating short of the center of the rail and the bottom fiber piecesbeing correspondingly arranged, so that there is a drainage openingimmediately beneath the bottomof the rail at the center thereof betweenthe inner edges of the bottom fiber pieces and the inner edges of thebase members of the shoes.-

Various other structural formations may be resorted to in carrying outthe present invention, as well as changes in the form, proportion, andminor details of construction, without in any way departing from thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. And, it willalso be noted that the claimed improvements may be embodied with orwithout insulating means, or in other words used for insulated or non'-insulated joints, and furthermore, that even the use of bolts or otherclamping means below the rail base would not detract from, or impair thefunctions of the invention as herein particularly set forth.

I claim:

1. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle, and a Wooden filler block having its maximum densityhorizontally and longitudinally thereof in an intermediate portion adjacent to the top of the bolt holes 2. A rail joint including incombination with the rail and joint bolts, a shoe angle, and a woodenfiller block fitting the fishing space and having the intermediateportion above the center line of the bolt holes subject to greatercompression than either of the portions located above and below saidintermediate portion.

3. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle, and a wooden filler block provided in an intermediateportion adjacent to thetop of the bolt holes with a longitudinallyextending lateral enlargement reducible by the clamping effect of theshoe angle to produce a relatively dense core in the block adjacent tothe horizontal plane-located at the tops of the bolt holes.

4. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle, a

, Wooden filler block having kerfs therein, and

means cooperating with said kerfs for producing a maximum density in themedial portion of the upper part of the block adjacent the horizontalplane located at the tops of the bolt holes.

5. A rail joint including in combination with the rail-and joint bolts,a shoe angle, and resistant Ineans'interposed between the rail web andthe portion of said shoe angle above the center line of the bolts toproduce in this zone a preponderance of resistance to the clampingaction of the bolts.

6. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle,

and a Wooden filler block having a horizontally swelled upper partpresenting inner and outer projections respectively engaging the railweb and shoe angle, said swelled part being reduc1ble by the clampingeffect of the angle to produce a preponderant density in the block abovethe center of the bolt holes.

7 A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts, a:shoe angle, anda wooden filler block having a lateral enlargement abovethe bolt holes, and kerfis therein below the bolt holes.

8. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle, and a wooden filler fblock having a lateral enlargementabove the bolt holes and longitudinally extending kerfs below the boltholes.

9. A rail joint including in combination with the rail and joint bolts,a shoe angle,

and a wooden filler block pnovided-with longitudinaily extending kerfs.

Inxtestimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses. WILLIAM P. THOMSON. Witnesses;

E. K. KnRs NER, U. A. DISBROW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for .five cents each, byaddressing the .Gommissioner' of Patents.

. Washing.ton,-.D..O..

